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Friday, November 30, 2018

The Movie Report #997, November 30, 2018

The Movie Report

#997, November 30, 2018


MOVIES:

  • Anna and the Apocalypse *** 1/2
  • Bathtubs over Broadway ***
  • Blood Brother ***
  • Everybody Knows (Todos Lo Saben) ** 1/2
  • Head Full of Honey *introduction video with Til Schweiger, Sophia Lane Nolte
  • The House That Jack Built **
  • Making The Five Heartbeats *** Q&A video with Robert Townsend, Diahann Carroll
  • 2.0 ***

The Movie Report wants to attend and cover all your film events and press junkets! Please send any and all invitations to this address. Thanks!

Tuesday, November 27, 2018

F3PR: Aubrey Plaza to host 34th Film Independent Spirit Awards

Film Flam Flummox

PRESS RELEASE


AUBREY PLAZA TO HOST
34th FILM INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARDS

Broadcast Live Exclusively on IFC
Saturday, February 23, 2019 at 2:00 pm PT / 5:00 pm ET


LOS ANGELES (November 27, 2018) – This morning, Film Independent announced that Aubrey Plaza (Ingrid Goes West, Legion, Parks & Recreation) will host the 2019 Film Independent Spirit Awards. The Spirit Awards are the primary fundraiser for Film Independent’s year-round programs, which cultivate the careers of emerging filmmakers and promote diversity in the industry. Nominees were announced by Gemma Chan (Crazy Rich Asians, Captain Marvel, Mary Queen of Scots) and Molly Shannon (Divorce, Private Life, Other People) at a press conference on November 16. Best Feature nominees include Eighth Grade, First Reformed, If Beale Street Could Talk, Leave No Trace, and You Were Never Really Here. The show will broadcast live exclusively on IFC at 2:00 pm PT/ 5:00 pm ET on Saturday, February 23, 2019.

“I am truly honored and delighted to host the Spirit Awards this year,” said Host Aubrey Plaza. “It is a dream come true to host a show that celebrates my greatest loves... independent film, the people that make them possible and live television!”

“The search for a great Spirit Awards host is never easy,” said Film Independent President Josh Welsh. “This year we said, let’s find someone funny, smart, a cinephile, being a great actor wouldn’t hurt, and it would be an added bonus if they’ve previously won a Spirit Award. Then we realized, oh wait, that’s Aubrey Plaza! So thank you Aubrey, for hosting the Spirits!”

“As the awards season slogs to the end, let’s raise a glass to the infectious enthusiasm that only Aubrey Plaza will bring to this party,” said IFC Executive Director, Blake Callaway.

Aubrey Plaza starred opposite Elizabeth Olsen in Matt Spicer’s acclaimed feature Ingrid Goes West, which Plaza also produced. As a producer, she received a Film Independent Spirit Award for “Best First Feature” and the film was also nominated for “Best First Screenplay.” Aubrey currently stars in Noah Hawley’s television series, Legion on FX. The series, which is based on the Marvel Comic of the same name, has received critical acclaim and will premiere season three in 2019. On television, Aubrey starred in the Emmy nominated comedy series Parks and Recreation with Amy Poehler. Aubrey’s recent film credits include producing and starring in Jeff Baena’s The Little Hours alongside Alison Brie, Dave Franco, Nick Offerman, and Molly Shannon (2017 Sundance Film Festival); and Jim Hosking’s An Evening with Beverly Luff Linn opposite Craig Robinson and Jemaine Clement (2018 Sundance Film Festival). Plaza will next star in Lars Klevberg’s remake of Child’s Play opposite Brian Tyree Henry which will open on June 21, 2019.

This year marks the 34th edition of the awards show that celebrates the best of independent film. Past Spirit Awards hosts have included Nick Kroll and John Mulaney, Kate McKinnon and Kumail Nanjiani, Fred Armisen and Kristen Bell, Patton Oswalt, Andy Samberg, Joel McHale, Sarah Silverman, Samuel L. Jackson, Eddie Izzard, Queen Latifah, and John Waters to name a few. The show, which will be held on the beach in Santa Monica, will be executive produced and directed by Joel Gallen of Tenth Planet Productions for the fifth consecutive year. Shawn Davis returns as producer for his 17th year, Rick Austin returns for his fourth year and Danielle Federico and Andrew Schaff also return as co-producers.

Winners, who are selected by Film Independent Members, will be announced at the Spirit Awards on Saturday, February 23, 2019. The awards ceremony will be held on the beach in Santa Monica, just north of the Santa Monica Pier.

Winners of the Spirit Awards Filmmaker Grants will be announced at the Film Independent Spirit Awards Filmmaker Grant and Nominee Brunch on Saturday, January 5, 2019, at BOA Steakhouse in West Hollywood.

ABOUT THE FILM INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARDS

Now in its 34th year, the Film Independent Spirit Awards is an annual celebration honoring artist-driven films made with an economy of means by filmmakers whose films embody independence and originality. The Spirit Awards recognizes the achievements of American independent filmmakers and promotes the finest independent films of the year to a wider audience.

The Film Independent Spirit Awards are sponsored by Premier Sponsors American Airlines, AT&T, IFC and Subaru of America, Inc. FIJI Water is the Official Water. Getty Images is the Official Photographer. TOWN & COUNTRY EVENT RENTALS is the Exclusive Rental Company.

Click here to see the list of this year’s nominees.

ABOUT FILM INDEPENDENT

Film Independent is a nonprofit arts organization that champions independent film and supports a community of artists who embody diversity, innovation and uniqueness of vision. Film Independent helps filmmakers make their movies, builds an audience for their projects, and works to diversify the film industry. Film Independent’s Board of Directors, filmmakers, staff and constituents is comprised of an inclusive community of individuals across ability, age, ethnicity, gender, race and sexual orientation. Anyone passionate about film can become a Member, whether you are a filmmaker, industry professional or a film lover.

In addition to producing the Spirit Awards, Film Independent produces Film Independent Presents, a year-round screening series for its members that offers unique cinematic experiences for the Los Angeles creative community and the general public.

With over 250 annual screenings and events, Film Independent provides access to a network of like-minded artists who are driving creativity in the film industry. Film Independent’s Artist Development program offers free Labs for selected writers, directors, producers and documentary filmmakers and presents year-round networking opportunities. Project Involve is Film Independent’s signature program dedicated to fostering the careers of talented filmmakers from communities traditionally underrepresented in the film industry.

For more information or to become a Member, visit filmindependent.org/membership.

About IFC

IFC is the home of offbeat, unexpected comedies. Series Brockmire, Stan Against Evil, Baroness von Sketch Show, and Documentary Now! air alongside fan-favorite movies and comedic cult TV shows. IFC is owned and operated by AMC Networks Inc., and available across multiple platforms. IFC is Always On, Slightly Off.


The Movie Report wants to attend all your film awards special events! Please send any and all invitations to this address. Thanks!

Wednesday, November 21, 2018

The Movie Report #996, November 21, 2018

The Movie Report

#996, November 21, 2018


MOVIES:

  • Amazing Grace *** 1/2 Q&A video with Alan Elliott, Tirrell Whitley
  • Creed II ***
  • The Favourite *** 1/2
  • Ralph Breaks the Internet ***
  • Robin Hood ** 1/2
  • Roma *** Q&A video with Marina de Tavira, Fernando Grediaga, Carlos Peralta, David Linde
  • Shoplifters *** 1/2

The Movie Report wants to attend and cover all your film events and press junkets! Please send any and all invitations to this address. Thanks!

Friday, November 16, 2018

The Movie Report #995, November 16, 2018

The Movie Report

#995, November 16, 2018


MOVIES:

  • At Eternity's Gate ** 1/2
  • Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald **
  • Green Book ***
  • Instant Family ***
  • Jinn *** Q&A video with Nijla Mu'min, Simone Missick, Dorian Missick, Avril Speaks, Maya Morales, Ashlei Foushee
  • Widows *** 1/2 Q&A video with Viola Davis, Michelle Rodriguez, Brian Tyree Henry

The Movie Report wants to attend and cover all your film events and press junkets! Please send any and all invitations to this address. Thanks!

F3PR: 34th Film Independent Spirit Awards Nominations Announced

Film Flam Flummox

PRESS RELEASE


34th FILM INDEPENDENT
SPIRIT AWARDS NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED

Broadcast Live Exclusively on IFC,
Saturday, February 23, 2019 at 2:00 pm PT / 5:00 pm ET

AT&T returns as Premier Sponsor,
joining American Airlines, IFC and Subaru

LOS ANGELES (November 16, 2018) – This morning, Film Independent announced the nominations for the 2019 Film Independent Spirit Awards. The Spirit Awards are the primary fundraiser for Film Independent’s year-round programs, which cultivate the careers of emerging filmmakers and promote diversity in the industry. Film Independent President Josh Welsh presided over the press conference held at the W Hotel in Hollywood, with actors Gemma Chan and Molly Shannon presenting the nominations. Nominees for Best Feature included Eighth Grade, First Reformed, If Beale Street Could Talk, Leave No Trace, and You Were Never Really Here.

“This year’s nominees reflect the bold originality that is the heart of independent film,” said Film Independent President Josh Welsh. “At a time when huge tent-pole franchises threaten to dominate our film culture, this year’s films and filmmakers offer something completely different – something vital, uncompromising, and needed. The nominees also show that, when it comes to diversity and inclusion, independent film is leading the way for the rest of the industry.”

Suspiria was selected to receive the Robert Altman Award, which is bestowed upon one film’s director, casting director and ensemble cast. The Altman Award was created in 2008 in honor of legendary director Robert Altman who was known for creating extraordinary ensemble casts.

Winners, who are selected by Film Independent Members, will be announced at the Spirit Awards on Saturday, February 23, 2019. The awards ceremony will be held on the beach in Santa Monica, just north of the Santa Monica Pier. The show will broadcast live exclusively on IFC at 2:00 pm PT/ 5:00 pm ET.

The Spirit Awards Nominating Committees selected nominees from over 400 submissions this year and applied the following guidelines in determining the nominations: uniqueness of vision, original and provocative subject matter, economy of means (with particular attention paid to total production cost and individual compensation) and percentage of financing from independent sources. The Spirit Awards Nominating Committees are comprised of writers, directors, producers, cinematographers, editors, actors, critics, casting directors, film festival programmers and other working film professionals.

Winners of the Spirit Awards Filmmaker Grants will be announced at the Film Independent Spirit Awards Filmmaker Grant and Nominee Brunch on Saturday, January 5, 2019.

Film Independent is proud to announce the return of our collaboration with AT&T, who joins once again as Premier Sponsor and Official Wireless & Video Services Partner. American Airlines joins for the fifth year and returns to fund the Bonnie Award, recognizing a mid-career female director with a $50,000 unrestricted grant. And we welcome this year’s Official Automotive Partner, Subaru of America.

2019 FILM INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARD NOMINATIONS

BEST FEATURE
(Award given to the producer. Executive Producers are not awarded.)

  • Eighth Grade
    Producers: Eli Bush, Scott Rudin, Christopher Storer, Lila Yacoub
  • First Reformed
    Producers: Jack Binder, Greg Clark, Gary Hamilton, Victoria Hill, David Hinojosa, Frank Murray, Deepak Sikka, Christine Vachon
  • If Beale Street Could Talk
    Producers: Dede Gardner, Barry Jenkins, Jeremy Kleiner, Sara Murphy, Adele Romanski
  • Leave No Trace
    Producers: Anne Harrison, Linda Reisman, Anne Rosellini
  • You Were Never Really Here
    Producers: Rosa Attab, Pascal Caucheteux, Rebecca O’Brien, Lynne Ramsay, James Wilson
BEST FIRST FEATURE
(Award given to the director and producer)

  • Hereditary
    Director: Ari Aster
    Producers: Kevin Frakes, Lars Knudsen, Buddy Patrick
  • Sorry to Bother You
    Director: Boots Riley
    Producers: Nina Yang Bongiovi, Jonathan Duffy, Charles D. King, George Rush, Forest Whitaker, Kelly Williams
  • The Tale
    Director/Producer: Jennifer Fox
    Producers: Oren Moverman, Laura Rister, Mynette Louie, Simone Pero, Lawrence Inglee, Sol Bondy, Regina K. Scully, Lynda Weinman, Reka Posta
  • We the Animals
    Director: Jeremiah Zagar
    Producers: Andrew Goldman, Christina D. King, Paul Mezey, Jeremy Yaches
  • Wildlife
    Director/Producer: Paul Dano
    Producers: Andrew Duncan, Jake Gyllenhaal, Riva Marker, Oren Moverman, Ann Ruark, Alex Saks
JOHN CASSAVETES AWARD

Given to the best feature made for under $500,000. Award given to the writer, director and producer. Executive Producers are not awarded.

  • A Bread Factory
    Writer/Director/Producer: Patrick Wang
    Producers: Daryl Freimark, Matt Miller
  • En el Séptimo Día
    Writer/Director/Producer: Jim McKay
    Producers: Alex Bach, Lindsey Cordero, Caroline Kaplan, Michael Stipe
  • Never Goin’ Back
    Writer/Director: Augustine Frizzell
    Producers: Liz Cardenas, Toby Halbrooks, James M. Johnston
  • S&ocaute;crates
    Writer/Director/Producer: Alex Moratto
    Writer: Thayná Mantesso
    Producers: Ramin Bahrani, Jefferson Paulino, Tammy Weiss
  • Thunder Road
    Writer/Director: Jim Cummings
    Producers: Natalie Metzger, Zack Parker, Benjamin Weissner
BEST DIRECTOR

  • Debra Granik, Leave No Trace
  • Barry Jenkins, If Beale Street Could Talk
  • Tamara Jenkins, Private Life
  • Lynne Ramsay, You Were Never Really Here
  • Paul Schrader, First Reformed
BEST SCREENPLAY

  • Richard Glatzer (Writer/Story By), Rebecca Lenkiewicz & Wash Westmoreland, Colette
  • Nicole Holofcener & Jeff Whitty, Can You Ever Forgive Me?
  • Tamara Jenkins, Private Life
  • Boots Riley, Sorry to Bother You
  • Paul Schrader, First Reformed
BEST FIRST SCREENPLAY

  • Bo Burnham, Eighth Grade
  • Christina Choe, Nancy
  • Cory Finley, Thoroughbreds
  • Jennifer Fox, The Tale
  • Quinn Shephard (Writer/Story By), Laurie Shephard (Story By), Blame
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

  • Ashley Connor, Madeline's Madeline
  • Diego Garcia, Wildlife
  • Benjamin Loeb, Mandy
  • Sayombhu Mukdeeprom, Suspiria
  • Zak Mulligan, We the Animals
BEST EDITING

  • Joe Bini, You Were Never Really Here
  • Keiko Deguchi, Brian A. Kates, & Jeremiah Zagar, We the Animals
  • Luke Dunkley, Nick Fenton, Chris Gill, & Julian Hart, American Animals
  • Anne Fabini, Alex Hall, & Gary Levy, The Tale
  • Nick Houy, Mid90s
BEST FEMALE LEAD

  • Glenn Close, The Wife
  • Toni Collette, Hereditary
  • Elsie Fisher, Eighth Grade
  • Regina Hall, Support the Girls
  • Helena Howard, Madeline's Madeline
  • Carey Mulligan, Wildlife
BEST MALE LEAD

  • John Cho, Searching
  • Daveed Diggs, Blindspotting
  • Ethan Hawke, First Reformed
  • Christian Malheiros, Sócrates
  • Joaquin Phoenix, You Were Never Really Here
BEST SUPPORTING FEMALE

  • Kayli Carter, Private Life
  • Tyne Daly, A Bread Factory
  • Regina King, If Beale Street Could Talk
  • Thomasin Harcourt McKenzie, Leave No Trace
  • J. Smith-Cameron, Nancy
BEST SUPPORTING MALE

  • Raúl Castillo, We the Animals
  • Adam Driver, BlacKkKlansman
  • Richard E. Grant, Can You Ever Forgive Me?
  • Josh Hamilton, Eighth Grade
  • John David Washington, Monsters and Men
ROBERT ALTMAN AWARD

Given to one film’s director, casting director and ensemble cast.

  • Suspiria
    Director: Luca Guadagnino
    Casting Directors: Avy Kaufman, Stella Savino
    Ensemble Cast: Malgosia Bela, Ingrid Caven, Lutz Ebersdorf, Elena Fouina, Mia Goth, Jessica Harper, Dakota Johnson, Gala Moody, Chloë Grace Moretz, Fabrizia Sacchi, Renée Soutendijk, Tilda Swinton, Sylvie Testud, Angela Winkler
BEST DOCUMENTARY

Award given to the director and producer.

  • Hale County This Morning, This Evening
    Director/Producer: RaMell Ross
    Producers: Joslyn Barnes, Su Kim
  • Minding the Gap
    Director/Producer: Bing Liu
    Producer: Diane Quon
  • Of Fathers and Sons
    Director: Talal Derki
    Producers: Hans Robert Eisenhauer, Ansgar Frerich, Eva Kemme, Tobias N. Siebert
  • On Her Shoulders
    Director: Alexandria Bombach
    Producers: Hayley Pappas, Brock Williams
  • Shirkers
    Director/Producer: Sandi Tan
    Producers: Jessica Levin, Maya E. Rudolph
  • Won’t You Be My Neighbor?
    Director/Producer: Morgan Neville
    Producers: Caryn Capotosto, Nicholas Ma
BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM

Award given to the director.

  • Burning (South Korea)
    Director: Lee Chang-Dong
  • The Favourite (United Kingdom)
    Director: Yorgos Lanthimos
  • Happy as Lazzaro (Italy)
    Director: Alice Rohrwacher
  • Roma (Mexico)
    Director: Alfonso Cuarón
  • Shoplifters (Japan)
    Director: Kore-eda Hirokazu
BONNIE AWARD

Recognizing a mid-career female director with a $50,000 unrestricted grant, sponsored by American Airlines.

  • Debra Granik
  • Tamara Jenkins
  • Karyn Kusama
PRODUCERS AWARD

Honoring emerging producers who, despite highly limited resources, demonstrate the creativity, tenacity and vision required to produce quality, independent films. The award includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant.

  • Jonathan Duffy & Kelly Williams
  • Gabrielle Nadig
  • Shrihari Sathe
SOMEONE TO WATCH AWARD

Recognizing a talented filmmaker of singular vision who has not yet received appropriate recognition. The award includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant.

  • Alex Moratto, director of Sócrates
  • Ioana Uricaru, director of Lemonade
  • Jeremiah Zagar, director of We the Animals
22nd TRUER THAN FICTION AWARD

Presented to an emerging director of non-fiction features who has not yet received significant recognition. The award includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant.

  • Alexandria Bombach, director of On Her Shoulders
  • Bing Liu, director of Minding the Gap
  • RaMell Ross, director of Hale County This Morning, This Evening

The Movie Report wants to attend all your film special events! Please send any and all invitations to this address. Thanks!

AFI FEST presented by Audi 2018 reviews

The Movie Report


  • Akasha ** 1/2
  • Amazing Grace *** 1/2 Q&A video with Alan Elliott, Tirrell Whitley
  • Bird Box *** interview video with Sandra Bullock, Trevante Rhodes, Susanne Bier, Eric Heisserer Q&A video with Trevante Rhodes, Lil Rel Howery
  • Black Mother *** 1/2
  • Bulbul Can Sing *** Q&A video with Rima Das
  • Capernaum *** 1/2
  • Cold War ***
  • Destroyer ***
  • Everybody Knows (Todos Lo Saben) ** 1/2
  • The Favourite *** 1/2
  • Hotel by the River ***
  • Jinn *** Q&A video with Nijla Mu'min, Simone Missick, Dorian Missick, Avril Speaks, Maya Morales, Ashlei Foushee
  • Mary Queen of Scots *** 1/2 Q&A video with Josie Rourke, Beau Willimon, John Guy
  • Never Look Away ***
  • On the Basis of Sex ** 1/2 interview video with Felicity Jones
  • Rafiki (Friend) ***
  • Roma *** Q&A video with Marina de Tavira, Fernando Grediaga, Carlos Peralta, David Linde
  • Vox Lux ** 1/2 Q&A video with Natalie Portman, Brady Corbet
  • The Weekend *** Q&A video with Sasheer Zamata, Tone Bell, Kym Whitley, Shannon Baker Davis
  • Widows *** 1/2 Q&A video with Viola Davis, Michelle Rodriguez, Brian Tyree Henry

The Movie Report wants to attend all your film festivals! Please send any and all invitations to this address. Thanks!

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